What is production design?
Production design is the overall look and feel of your film. It sets the tone for your audience.
Set design, props, costume, hair and makeup are all part of production design. They show:
- Time period - When the story is being told.
- Location - Where the story takes place.
- Characters - Who is telling the story and what do they look like?
Production designers work closely with the director and cinematographer to create the visual world.
Video - production design
Production design is everything you can see around the characters that helps tell the story.
Locations, sets, props and costumes can all tell us where we are, when things happen, who this person is.
…which helps create the mood of your film and reflect the theme you have chosen.
Your choices for production design all help tell the story visually, telling us who people are and what is happening without it having to be said
Compare these spaces. You can see how set design has added to the story.
Key points
- Production design is the visual ‘world of the film you are creating.
- Production design is influenced by the story you are telling.
- Production design can communicate tone, time period, setting and who the characters are.
On screen examples - production design
- Image source, Warner Bros. Pictures / Mattel Films / Heyday Films / LuckyChap Entertainment / NB/GG Pictures / Capital Pictures / Alamy
Image caption, Production design and set design
In 'Barbie', the production design recreates the bright, plastic world of real Barbie doll toys, wardrobe and accessories. Sets were designed slightly smaller than real life, the beach has pink sand, and the waves are solid, reinforcing the toy-like appearance of Barbie Land.
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Try this - Production design
Watch this video and give this production design exercise a go!
Production design creates the look of your film, Sets, props, costumes, make up all work together to tell the story and show us the characters in it.
Use production design to create a hero character or create a villain character.
Pick five details of props or costume that can show who this character is.
Roles and departments
- Director - Has the creative vision for the ‘look’ of the film and communicate this to a Production Designer
- Production designer - works with the Director to create the visual world as suits the story.
- Art department - This is the team of people, including roles such as art director, set dresser and props master, who work with the production designer to bring their work to life through sets and props.
- Art department trainee - the entry level job in the art department. They support the rest of the team with tasks and run any errands needed.
- Costume designer - Works with the director to create the costumes for the characters which match the production design.
- Hair and make-up designer - Creates the hair and make-up designs to match the costumes.
Think about
- When/where is the story set and how will you show this through production design?
- Do you want the design to be realistic or stylised?
- What props, sets and costumes would show the personality of the characters?
- Is there a ‘hero’ prop (a recurring prop) that you want your character to have?
Things to look for
- Serve the story - Make sure the production design decisions, from setting to costume to props, all add to the telling of the story.
- Play with style - Production design can be realistic or stylised. Decide on the look and feel you want so that they add to your vision as a filmmaker.
- Attention to detail - every aspect of your set or props should be a deliberate creative choice.
Things to consider
- Using recognisable objects and brands can help your film feel realistic but can present copyright issues
- It is safer (and can be fun) to create your own original brands, labels and designs for props!
More on Elements of film and screen
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